UPDATE:
Multiple contractors in Hamilton have reported vehicle break-ins and tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment have been stolen as a result.
READ MORE: Hamilton Police investigate high volume of vehicle thefts
CHCH News spoke with one of the contractors who say the break-ins have left him worried about the possibility of this happening again. The co-owner of T&L Wiring Pros, Andrew Lobsinger, says $30,000 of tools were stolen.
“Thieves broke into my van and stole everything, including my guys’ livelihood, their tools, their day’s worth of pay,” Lobsinger said.
Video surveillance footage captured what happened in east Hamilton around 4 a.m. on Friday. Lobsinger says, “they proceed to sit and park right beside our vans for 12 minutes before they get out. Once they get out, they smash the window, and proceed to pull the lock out the back of our van.”
READ MORE: Flamborough residents see large amounts of vehicle thefts, break-ins
Lobsinger quickly found out he wasn’t alone, “I made a Facebook post, and I found another gentleman on Cannon St. who got broken into the morning before I did.”
That person has video showing the incident. While police have not confirmed any connection to CHCH News, Lobsinger believes there is one, “…it was the exact same van. You can see them when they come back the missing hub, the damage on the back bumper. The rear right hub is also missing.”
A third video is said to show another break-in happening in Stoney Creek, in this case, the person tells CHCH News that $20,000 worth of tools were taken.
Lobsinger says, “it was through Facebook and the community that we were able to put together two more occurrences with the same people, all on video, committing these crimes.”
Lobsinger says the police have been a huge help, “they’ve let me submit my evidence as soon as possible so we can build this case and put an end to these guys.”
Hamilton police tell CHCH News they are investigating the three reported thefts and will update us with information once it’s available.
READ MORE: Ontario’s most stolen vehicles in 2021: Is yours on the list?
